This collection consists of documents, the bulk of which are associated with the Shorter family. It includes slave bills of sale for a woman, Sarah; a man, Jerry; a man, Davy (a blacksmith); a man, Dave; and a man, Lewis. The Shorter family, especially Mary E. Shorter, was heavily involved with purchasing land so the papers also include bills of sale and deeds for property primarily in Russell County, Alabama, but also in Muscogee and Bibb Counties, Georgia. There is also a land survey in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Other documents include a letter, dated April 24, 1864, to George Hargraves from "M. Miaron," Naval Rendezvous, Richmond, Virginia, informing him that his request for a midshipman post in the Confederate Navy for his nephew, Mr. Shorter, was declined due to defective eyesight. The letter includes a mention of U.S. Major General Ambrose Burnside landing with troops in Yorktown for "their last great effort." Papers pertaining to the Fontaine family include a letter to Mary Fontaine; a bill of sale for dry goods; and copies of Benjamin B. Fontaine's pardon by President Andrew Johnson and documents associated with it.